The Opposition of Mr. Clank: Show of Support

This Petition is to support access for my son's service dog, so that he can accompany my son to school. I have worked withthe school for over a year, and their position is that they do not have to permit access to the dog because the dog mitigates a disability, but does not directly enhance Jonah's educational experience. I disagree, and respectfully ask that Board officials carefully consider the ADAA, the best interests of the child, and best practices for inclusion in reaching a positive decision in this matter. Below is an open letter to potential supporters.

Judy Kintner

This rally is to quietly, positively and powerfully let the Yellow Springs School Board know that while it may be POSSIBLE to deny Jonah the right to have his Service Dog accompany him to school, it is both RIGHT and JUST to find a way to make this happen for a child who has STRUGGLED and WORKED SO HARD to be a student, and who will CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE for much of his life just to do what the rest of us consider normal: sit still. Read. Think in a linear and logical manner. Follow and understand social interactions and learn from experience—this list could go on for a long time.

A Service Dog is required to be accommodated in ANY PUBLIC SETTING. A school, unlike all other settings, can WRITE THE CHILD’S IEP IN SUCH A WAY that the Service Dog is considered unnecessary because his function is superseded by other accommodations.

In Jonah’s case, this means that fidgets, a yoga ball, a weighted vest, an intervention specialist who will let him rest while she reads to him are, in part, in the opinion of the IEP team, things that make the dog unnecessary.

My stance for over a year since the conversation with the IEP team, Principal and Superintendent (and their lawyer, I am to understand) began, has been this: Every study done regarding the use of Service Dogs in school has shown a highly positive outcome not only for the child being directly served, but for the classroom as a whole.

My argument to the IEP team has been this: the dog provides an interactive, mobile sensory diet to Jonah. He is able with the dog to determine what his sensory needs are at any given moment (deep pressure, a comforting paw, a transitional object) and to engage the dog accordingly. This is less stigmatizing than an adult aide who might provide the weighted vest or the comfort.

Will Jonah still benefit from the excellent intervention services he now receives? Of course he will. Jonah has consistently received outstanding services at Mills Lawn School, and I in NO WAY question the integrity or professional capacity of his teachers or intervention professionals. I simply request the ability to ADD TO JONAH’S TOOLBOX OF SUPPORTS this highly trained Service Dog.

Problem: Jonah and Clank’s bond suffers from a 7 hour a day, 5 day a week separation. They need to spend as much time as possible together for Clank to best interpret and anticipate and respond to Jonah’s needs. This dog and this boy need to be together. Please make a sign, sign the online petition, write a letter to the YS News or the School Board or show up at 6:30 on Thursday and help this boy and his dog open Mills Lawn’s doors to TRULY FEARLESS THINKING.